Focus On Transparency and Holistic Accessibility
Sofia Zareizadeh ’26 has officially begun her term as President of St. Lawrence University’s student government, the Thelomathesian Society. With a focus on increased transparency and holistic accessibility, she and the executive board are working to redefine Thelmo as a body that genuinely reflects the needs of the SLU community.
“The goal is to redefine the perspective on Thelmo as a voice [for] students and not a central bank [for] clubs,” said Zareizadeh. Traditionally, Thelmo meetings have centered on approving student organizations’ requests to the SLU Student Activity Fund, which helps cover unforeseen expenses for campus activities. The executive board aims to expand Thelmo’s presence beyond financial matters and create a more “visible presence” on campus. presidential election.
Regarding finances, a key challenge for the current Senate will be managing the limited SLUSAF budget. Despite these financial constraints, Zareizadeh is focused on leveraging the remaining funds effectively by encouraging student organizations to collaborate on fundraising and organizing events to keep campus traditions alive. “Although limited funds is a big challenge, our E-board is viewing this as an opportunity for clubs and organizations to collaborate and have more intersectional interaction while maximizing resources,” she said.
Transparency and accountability within Thelmo’s leadership structure are central to Zareizadeh’s vision. She and Vice President of Student Affairs Zakithi Kumalo ’27 have pledged to strengthen the Junior E-Board by requiring members to share weekly reports on their activities and progress during Members’ Time and consistently make their responsibilities as chairs clear. This initiative aims to ensure transparency among the chairs, senators and the student body, reinforcing the tradition of holding members accountable for their projects and initiatives.
Additionally, Zareizadeh intends to increase transparency between senators and the E-Board with consistent updates on the status of the SLUSAF fund during meetings, announcing publicly on board and Thelmo’s social media after each meeting. The senators are also given copies of Robert’s Rules during meetings to express their interests according to protocol. According to Zareizadeh, such acts are meant to make the meetings more accessible to the student body and create a culture where senators recruited from various backgrounds can voice their interests in an inclusive environment.
Another priority is the reinstatement of the Intercultural Board of United Voices, which was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic. The IBUV serves as a platform for students from diverse backgrounds to build cross-identity connections across campus. In a time of uncertainty, especially with the Trump administration’s cuts to higher-education DEI programs, Zareizadeh believes initiatives like IBUV are essential for bridging gaps between students and advocating for holistic accessibility and inclusivity.
“As an international student and a BIPOC woman, I like to work with my Senate to actively contribute towards creating platforms that underrepresented students can use,” said Zareizadeh. Her emphasis on increasing holistic accessibility through reinstating IBUV and creating on-campus pantries appears essential to how she envisions her term as Thelmo President.
As Spring 2025 begins in earnest, Zareizadeh and the Executive Board seek to put their plans into action. Meanwhile, the SLU community lies in wait, anticipating a future marked by change for the better.